Bonus post. Or: post-blog wig-out.

Posted by Tania Kindersley.

I always completely freak out after I have done a long, serious, possibly contentious post. Why did I not do the cute thing about horses? Why must I bang on, and on, and on?

I think it is also because when I am arguing against something, it often falls into the negative: here is what I do not think, this is where I cannot concur. I like the positive. So, because I am overcome with angst, here is a very quick, impromptu list of what I do believe, rather than what I do not.

Credo:

I believe in the human heart.

I believe that most people are mostly good.

I believe that people are more the same than they are different.

I’m afraid, tired as it sounds, I do believe beauty comes from within, although I also like looking at lovely photographs of Audrey Hepburn.

I believe in kindness and understanding, although I do not always practice these as well as I should.

I believe in friendship.

I believe in saying sorry.

I believe in taking responsibility for one’s actions.

I believe in politeness.

I believe in the power of words.

I believe in hope.

I believe that one should try, as far as is possible, not to be dull.

I believe in the planting of trees.

I believe in the love of a good dog.

I believe in family, especially when it is messy and a bit ragged round the edges and not at all like The Waltons.

I believe in laughter.

I believe in courage.

I believe in charm, although people say it is a horrid manipulative construct. I think it makes the wheels go round just a little more smoothly.

I believe in government, and the social contract.

I believe in the importance of home.

I believe that perhaps the answer to the very big questions lie in the very small things. This is a new theory, and I’m still working on it.

I believe in reading.

I believe in science.

I believe in the mystery and beauty of the natural world, especially mountains and glacial valleys, for some reason.

I believe in learning.

I believe in cranking open your mind as far as it will go.

I believe in empathy, although I wish there were a better, less washy word for it.

I believe in the kindness of strangers.

I believe in eccentricity.

I believe in optimism, and silver linings.

I believe in stoicism.

And, very unexpectedly, I believe in this. Even though most of the time I don’t know what the hell I am doing.

The Pigeon says: I believe in biscuits:

She also believes that if she puts on this special yearny face, she will damn well get biscuits. And she is right.